LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 148

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148

RESOLUTIONS

prior to the 2001 synodical convention to receive input that
will allow refinement by the task force in preparation for
consideration by the 2001 convention.
Action: Adopted as amended (9)
(By amendment and representatives of the Council of Presidents was added in the first resolve. Following discussion and
adoption of the resolution, delegates declined to consider a resolution that called for deferring action on Res. 7-05 and 7-06 until
such time as the task force established in Res. 7-02A had completed its work.)

To Bring to Resolution the Matter
Concerning President Orval Mueller
RESOLUTION 7-03
Overtures 7-01–04, 7-13, 7-15, 7-29 (CW, pp. 239–40,
243–44, 248)
Preamble:
In August 1996 the President of the Southern District
of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod participated in
a joint wedding service in Watertown, SD, with a clergyman of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This
participation was contrary to the official fellowship practice
of the Synod, the regular practice of the South Dakota District, the fraternal request of the President of the South
Dakota District, and the repeated counsel of the President
and Praesidium of the Missouri Synod.
The President of the South Dakota District requested
the Southern District President to respect the theological
position of the Synod and the congregations of the South
Dakota District and not to participate in the wedding. Dr.
A. L. Barry, President of the Synod, then asked the President of the Southern District not to participate, and later
instructed him as an officer of the Synod not to do so. In
spite of these efforts, the Southern District President decided that he would participate and did so.
After the wedding had taken place, Dr. Barry met with
the Southern District President, asked for an apology, and
asked for the assurance that this would not happen again.
Dr. Barry wrote to him and met with him several times
since then and also involved the Praesidium of the Synod,
and requested that he simply indicate:
1. I acknowledge that my action was inappropriate.
2. I regret that this has caused harm in the church.
3. I promise that it will not happen again.
As recently as early May 1998, the Southern District
President has refused to do so.
WHEREAS, The Word of God teaches that we are to admonish a fellow Christian who falls into error, and if, after
such fraternal admonitions, he persists in refusing to renounce his error and refuses to repent, we are to have nothing more to do with him (Titus 3:10 and Matt. 18:15ff); and
WHEREAS, At the time of their installations, District
Presidents solemnly promise to perform the duties of their
office in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and
WHEREAS, Participation in worship services with clergymen of church bodies with whom we are not in altar and
pulpit fellowship is a serious breach of our synodical agreement to walk together (Art. VI 2 b), especially for a District
President who has promised to uphold and promote the de-

cisions of the Synod (Bylaw 4.07 a, and 1977 convention
Res. 3-25, quote:
“WHEREAS, The Council of Presidents has stated that
participation in ecumenical marriage ceremonies should
‘not be as a co-officiant, worship leader, or celebrant, but
should be arranged in such a way that it is not an official
part of the worship service, nor a solemnizing or celebrating
of the marriage’ 1973 CW, p. 44; therefore be it
Resolved, That we expect our pastors and congregations
to follow this article with respect to mixed wedding ceremonies”); and
WHEREAS, Love for God, love for our erring brother, and
love for Christ’s church compel us to deal with error in a
God-pleasing manner; and
WHEREAS, The President of the Southern District did
willfully participate, after being requested by the President
of the South Dakota District and instructed by the President of the Synod not to participate in a wedding service in
the South Dakota District with a rostered clergyman of the
ELCA; and
WHEREAS, The President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, exercising supervision over doctrine and practice, brought this matter to the attention of our Synod;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the synodical President and Vice-Presidents be directed to approach the Southern District President once again, out of fraternal love and concern, directing his attention to the biblical and confessional basis of
our doctrine and practice as a Synod, and the great need to
bear faithful witness to a unity of both doctrine and practice among all the members of the Synod; and be it further
Resolved, That should the President of the Southern District fail to heed the admonition of the synodical President
and Vice-Presidents, and continue to refuse to repent and
amend his stand on this issue (as outlined above), that the
Synod in convention direct the President of the Synod to remove the Southern District President, Orval Mueller, from
his office; and be it finally
Resolved, That the 1998 synodical convention and all
pastors and congregations of the LCMS be encouraged to
pray for President Mueller, the Praesidium, and the President of the Synod as they seek resolution to this matter.
Action: Withdrawn (9)
(In an earlier session the delegates, after receiving a statement from President Mueller, joined in singing the common doxology when the committee stated its intention to withdraw the
resolution from consideration.)

To Establish Task Force to Clarify
Role of Council of Presidents
RESOLUTION 7-04
Overtures 7-30, 7-34–35, 7-37–38, 7-42 (CW, pp.
248–52)
WHEREAS, There are many differing opinions regarding
responsibilities of the Council of Presidents and the office of
District President; therefore be it
Resolved, That the synodical President in consultation
with the Board of Directors be requested to appoint a task
force to study and clarify the role of the Council of Presi-